What's Happening?
UFC 321, held in Abu Dhabi, has sparked significant debate due to controversial decisions in its main card fights. Henry Cejudo, a former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, has criticized the event,
labeling it 'the worst card in UFC history.' Cejudo expressed disagreement with the outcomes of two major fights: Mackenzie Dern's victory over Virna Jandiroba and Alexander Volkov's win against Jailton Almeida. He argues that the current judging system is flawed and advocates for the implementation of AI judging to improve fairness in the sport. Cejudo believes that AI could eliminate human bias and provide more accurate assessments of fights. However, his proposal has met with skepticism from others in the MMA community, including Kamaru Usman, who contends that AI lacks the ability to fully understand the nuances of a fight, such as the impact of strikes on fighters.
Why It's Important?
The call for AI judging in UFC highlights ongoing concerns about the accuracy and fairness of fight outcomes, which can significantly impact fighters' careers and the sport's integrity. If adopted, AI judging could revolutionize how fights are scored, potentially leading to more consistent and unbiased results. This change could benefit fighters by ensuring that their performances are evaluated more objectively, potentially altering career trajectories and financial earnings. However, the debate also underscores the challenges of integrating technology into sports, where human judgment and experience have traditionally played a crucial role. The resistance from figures like Kamaru Usman suggests that the transition to AI judging would require careful consideration of its limitations and the development of technology capable of capturing the full context of a fight.
What's Next?
The discussion around AI judging in UFC is likely to continue, with stakeholders in the sport weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks. If the idea gains traction, smaller MMA promotions might experiment with AI judging as a pilot program. The UFC and other major organizations would need to evaluate the outcomes of such trials before considering widespread adoption. The debate may also prompt further technological advancements aimed at enhancing AI's ability to assess fights accurately. Meanwhile, fighters, coaches, and fans will continue to scrutinize judging decisions, potentially influencing the sport's regulatory bodies to explore new solutions.
